Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[8] For more information pertaining to Southerland's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[9]

National security

American response in Syria

“While Syria’s Bashar al-Assad is a tyrant and a threat to his people’s freedoms, I share the concerns of many Americans who are weary of launching a mission that is currently undefined and lacks a clear end game,” Southerland said in a statement on September 3, 2013.[10]

Southerland’s office said as many as 95 percent of his constituents who have voiced an opinion stood with him.[10] “I look forward to hearing from my constituents and bringing their perspectives to the table when Congress reconvenes,” Southerland said in his statement.[10]

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations

Southerland voted in favor of HR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 and was largely along party lines.[11]

Keystone Pipeline Amendment

Southerland voted against House Amendment 69, which would have amended HR 3 to "require that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, conduct a study of the vulnerabilities of the Keystone XL pipeline to a terrorist attack and certify that necessary protections have been put in place." The amendment failed on May 22, 2013, with a vote of 176 - 239 and was largely along party lines.[12]

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

Southerland voted in favor of HR 624 - the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities.[13] The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[14]

National Defense Authorization Act

Southerland voted in support of HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[15]

Economy

Government shutdown

Southerland called the fight in Congress regarding the shutdown a "moral issue." He also said the Democratic-controlled Senate’s rejection of a proposal and refusal to negotiate is setting a dangerous precedent for the country.[16]

“That is a glaring statement to America that we know you’re in pain, we know you’re hurting, but we don’t have to step down in your pain with you,” Southerland said. “That is unacceptable.”[16]

He went on to cite Harry Reid’s actions as a refusal to believe in the principles of democracy and the nation at large. “I think it’s very germane to the existence of our republic that no one receive special treatment and we hold everyone to the same standard,” he said. “I think this is very critical to how we move forward in this country.”[16]

Immigration

Morton Memos Enforcement Prohibition

Southerland voted in favor of House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States. The vote largely followed party lines.[17]

Healthcare

Health Care Reform Rules

Southerland voted in favor of House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[18]

Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act

Southerland voted in favor of and co-sponsored HR 2009 - Keep the IRS Off Your Health Care Act of 2013. The bill passed through the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 232-185. The bill would prevent the IRS and Treasury Secretary from enforcing the powers provided to them in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The vote largely followed party lines.[19]

Social issues

Amash amendment

Southerland voted in favor of House Amendment 413 - Prohibits the National Security Agency from Collecting Records Under the Patriot Act. The amendment failed on July 4, 2013, by a vote of 205-217. The amendment would have prohibited the collection of records by the National Security Agency under the Patriot Act. Both parties were split on the vote.[20]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

Southerland voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[21]

Controversy

Campaign funds used to maintain home

Southerland reportedly used campaign funds to improve and maintain a Panama City home he inherited in 2005. He used the home for his headquarters during two campaigns before selling it for $550,000 in June 2013.[22]

Between 2010 and June 2013, when the property was sold, Southerland’s congressional campaign paid him $42,000 in rent and owes him another $36,000. The campaign also covered at least $6,273 in maintenance and upkeep on the home, including fees for lawn services, trash removal, repair of the home’s air conditioning and water filter service and repairs. It also paid utilities for the home.[22]

“There are zero violations or compliance issues whatsoever, and Rep. Southerland is proud of a campaign that he’s run in a responsible, transparent manner,” Southerland's spokesperson Matt McCullough said.[22]

Using campaign money to fund and fix a headquarters, even if it is owned by the candidate, is permissible under campaign finance law, provided the expenditures are in line with local rental rates.[22]

McCullough wrote that “when Rep. Southerland inherited the family home, he was diligent in ensuring the home’s valuation and the campaign’s monthly rent were fair and representative of the local market. He worked with a certified real estate broker to tour other properties and requested a comparative market analysis before the rates were set.”[22]

Campaign themes

2012

Excerpt: "The problem today is that too many Washington politicians believe they can fix our economy. In reality, what government needs to do is get out of the way. Only by unleashing our job creators to do what they do best can we truly ignite a long term economic recovery. As a small business owner, Steve understands this all too well. He’s met a payroll and created local jobs. And he’s brought that small business common sense to Washington."

Lowering Taxes So You Can Keep More of Your Money

Excerpt: "If there is one area where almost all Floridians can agree that we’ve had enough, it is in the enormous tax burden weighing down families and small businesses. We must drastically reduce taxes in order to stimulate this economy."

Keeping The Commitment To Our Seniors

Excerpt: "Steve believes the federal government must honor the commitments that have been made to our seniors. As Congress debates the future of Medicare and Social Security, Americans who are at or near retirement age deserve the peace of mind in knowing that they will receive their Medicare and Social Security benefits, while ensuring the solvency of both programs for future generations. That’s exactly what Steve is fighting to do."

Shrinking Spending and Reducing the Size of Government

Excerpt: "For years, both Democrat and Republican politicians contributed to America’s crippling national debt. With little concern for our children and grandchildren, both parties became addicted to wasteful Washington spending. Well, times have finally changed."

Family: The Foundation of America

Excerpt: "Without question, the basic fundamental unit of any civil society is the family. Other than personal individual freedoms, no issue is more critical than issues concerning the family. There is no greater commitment that can be made than the commitment between a husband and wife. It is from that union that the family is birthed and the next generation of American citizens is born."

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Steve Southerland II, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Steve Southerland II won election to the United States House. He defeated Allen Boyd (D), Paul C. McKain (I), Dianne Berryhill (I) and Ray Netherwood (I) in the general election.[29]

U.S. House, Florida District 2 General Election, 2010

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Steve Southerland II

53.6%

136,371

Democratic

Allen Boyd incumbent

41.4%

105,211

Independent

Paul C. McKain

2.8%

7,135

Independent

Dianne Berryhill

2.2%

5,705

Independent

Ray Netherwood

0%

16

Total Votes

254,438

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Southerland is available dating back to 2010. Based on available campaign finance records, Southerland raised a total of $3,115,028 during that time period. This information was last updated on April 3, 2013.[30]

2012

Breakdown of the source of Southerland's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Southerland won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Southerland's campaign committee raised a total of $1,823,957 and spent $1,722,317.[35] This is more than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.[36]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Southerland missed 4 of 1,695 roll call votes from Jan 2011 to Mar 2013. This amounts to 0.2%, which is better than the median of 2.2% among current congressional representatives as of March 2013.[40]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Southerland paid his congressional staff a total of $802,265 in 2011. He ranks 50th on the list of the lowest paid Republican representative staff salaries and ranks 57th overall of the lowest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, Florida ranks 36th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[41]

Staff bonuses

According to an analysis by CNN, Southerland was one of nearly 25 percent of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. Southerland's staff was given an apparent $24,500.00 in bonus money.[42]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Souterland's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $500,0004 and $5,151,998. That averages to $2,826,001, which is higher than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2011 of $7,859,232. His average net worth did not change from 2010.[43]

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Southerland's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $500,004 and $5,151,998. That averages to $2,826,001, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2010 of $7,561,133.[44]

National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Southerland ranked 34th in the conservative rankings in 2012.[45]

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Southerland ranked 40th in the conservative rankings.[46]

Voting with party

Steve Southerland II voted with the Republican Party 98.8% of the time, which ranked 20th among the 233 House Republican members as of June 2013.[47]

Personal

Southerland and Susan, his wife of 24 years, met in the first grade and have spent most of their formative years together. Steve and Susan have 4 daughters, Samantha (20), Stephanie (18), Allison (14), and Abby (12). [48][5] They reside in Panama City, Florida.[48]

Recent news

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